MINNEAPOLIS, MN – First Officer Greg Rizzuto,
Communications Chairman for the Northwest Airlines pilots, who are represented
by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l, issued the following statement today
reacting to the Northwest Airlines’ management plan to reduce capacity and the
number of aircraft in response to high fuel costs and economic uncertainties.

“While we are never happy about flight schedule
reductions, we understand the need for prudent economic decisions to be made in
order to maintain the financial viability of Northwest Airlines.

“We believe that Mr. Steenland’s decision to
reduce costs and increase revenues by avenues other than employee pay, benefits,
and layoffs is the correct choice due to the steep cuts already taken by
employees during the bankruptcy process. The aircraft involved are not being
retired but removed from the current flying operation.

“At a time when other airlines are shutting their
doors, parking and selling aircraft, Northwest management’s decision is
practical given the current economic environment. It is notable that there are
no planned pilot furloughs with this relatively small capacity reduction.”

Founded in 1931, ALPA represents 61,000 pilots at
43 airlines in the U.S. and Canada. ALPA represents approximately 4,700 active
NWA pilots and 550 furloughed NWA pilots. Visit the ALPA website at
http://www.alpa.org and the NWA ALPA website
at http://www.nwaalpa.org.